Indigenous societies in present-day western and northern Canada underwent steady change during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Changes began with new goods and deadly diseases filtering into Indigenous homelands.
Indigenous peoples responded on their own terms, adopting new goods selectively and strategically, and rebuilding societies devastated by epidemics.
Horses and guns transformed Indigenous life on the Northern Plains. Arriving from the north and the east, guns made warfare more destructive and hunting more efficient.
Arriving from the south, horses gave Indigenous peoples greater speed, range and mobility. This allowed them to transport — and therefore to own — more items than ever before. Given these benefits, horse ownership became a sign of wealth and prestige.
“The Beginning of the Horse Days/The Arrival of the Elk-Dogs”
Piikani oral account
Recounted by Elder Wilfred Yellow Wings
August 2015
Photo at top of page
The Importance of Horses and Guns
This painted skin is a “winter count.” A member of the Niisitapiikwan (Blackfoot Confederacy) made it in the 1800s as an annual record of memorable events, including hunts, battles and horse raids. The Niisitapiikwan developed a way of life around horses and guns. Adopting these items made them more effective in defending their territory and hunting bison. This gave them leisure time to devote to the arts, sacred societies and spiritual life.
Elk skin
Niisitapiikwan, 1800s
CMH, V-B-536